American Universities & Colleges: Choosing the Right One
Choosing a college or university is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. From the tuition costs and programs they offer, to the location of the campus, a great deal goes into finding the school that best fits your needs. If you are exploring American universities and colleges, we can help. USeduguides.com provides a wealth of information for students looking to learn more about universities and colleges in the U.S.A--information that can be used to help find the school that is best suited for you.
For additional information on American universities and colleges, including information on how to apply for a visa, personal experience accounts from other students, and much more, check out our Guide to Studying in the United States.
An Overview of American Universities & Colleges
Pursuing a higher education is a very rewarding experience. This section will help provide you with information about the population, ethnic diversity and the different landscapes and climates the U.S.A. has to offer.
Facts & Figures for American Universities & Colleges
Foreign-Born Population Statistics
Referred to as a "melting pot" the U.S.A. has a very diverse population. No matter where you choose to attend school, you will find people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. As of March 2003, foreign-born residents made up 11.7 percent of the population of the U.S.A. 53.3 percent from Latin America, 25 percent from Asia, 13.7 percent from Europe and eight percent from other regions. When broken down by region, the foreign-born population resides 22.2 percent in the Northeast region, 11.3 percent in the Midwest, 29.2 percent in the South, and 37.3 percent in the West.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in the U.S.A. varies greatly by region. Areas located near large cities, or on the East and West coasts are more expensive, while rural areas of the country usually have a much lower cost of living associated with them. If you are interested in calculating the cost of living for a specific region, there are a number of useful tools available online, such as Sperling's Best Places that can help you gain a better understanding of the cost of living associated with an area.
Universities & Colleges in the U.S.A. - Regional Information
The Midwest
Known as America's Heartland, the Midwest is known for its friendly people, small towns and diverse weather - ranging from winter temperatures below freezing to summer temperatures often above 90 F (32 C). The Midwest includes the Great lakes, the Mississippi River and many other smaller lakes and rivers that provide a number of recreational opportunities. The states in the Midwest include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The Northeast
Although comprised of a relatively small geographical area, the Northeast is a densely populated area that experiences four distinct seasons, with shorter summers, gorgeous springs and falls, and cold, long winters with heavy snow. Comprised of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania as well as the New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), the Northeast is known for a variety of cultures. From large, populated cities such as New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia to quaint towns, autumn colors, and scenic mountains in the New England states, the Northeast offers a little bit of everything.
The South
The South is an extremely diverse region of the U.S.A. that experiences a great deal of warm weather. The South contains a large number of historical sites as well as the Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains. The South consists of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, the nation's capital.
The West
The West is an expansive area of the U.S.A. that contains a diverse collection of climates and cultures. From lush expansive forests with moderate, damp climates to deserts, mountains, and warm sunny climates, the West encompasses a little bit of everything. Despite its expansive size, the population is concentrated to a small area with more than half of the population residing in California.
Preparing to Study at American Universities & Colleges
If you are planning to study at one of the many American universities or colleges, it is important to know what you can expect living in the U.S.A. At your new college or university, you will be exposed to a variety of people with values and ideals that differ from yours. From customs and laws to visiting a doctor, it is important that you understand these cultural differences. To learn more about preparing to study at an American university or college check out our Guide To Studying in the U.S.A.
Academics, Student Life, and Opportunities at Universities and Colleges in the U.S.A.
American universities & colleges provide a number of very rewarding opportunities, but if you are planning on attending one of the many American universities or colleges, it is important that you know what to expect. From understanding the grading system and how the academic calendar is set up, to understanding how tests are formatted, what to expect in a typical classroom, and campus safety, it is important that all the potential confusions are cleared up before you attend a university or college in the U.S.A.
To learn more about American universities & colleges and what to expect, visit the Academics, Student Life, and Opportunities at Universities and Colleges in the U.S.A. section of our site.
Information on Community Colleges in the U.S.A.
In addition to information regarding four year American universities and colleges, USeduguides.com also offers information on community colleges in the U.S.A. For some, community colleges offer the best opportunity. Unlike American universities and colleges, community colleges in the U.S.A. focus on the first two years of undergraduate education. There are, however, other differences between four year institutions and community colleges in the U.S.A.
Is community college right for you? To learn more, visit our Community Colleges in the U.S.A. page.
Considering the Cost of Attending American Universities & Colleges
If you are planning to pursue higher education in the U.S.A., considering the costs of American universities and colleges is important. In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other expenses that will also need to consider. Living expenses, such as food, housing and additional school expenses, such as books, will need to be factored into the overall cost of attending school.
If you would like to learn more about potential expenses associated with attending universities and colleges in the U.S.A., please visit our Costs of Attending American Universities & Colleges page.
More Information from U.S. Education Guides
In addition to our search tool which helps students find and research American universities and colleges, U.S. Education Guides also offers the following information to help you prepare for your study tour in America:
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